Chita Rivera

Ms. Rivera

Broadway star Chita Rivera demonstrates her dance routines for a show in New York City in this April 1956 photo.

An actress, dancer and singer best known for her roles in such classic musicals as "Can-Can," "West Side Story," "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Chicago," Rivera has received two Tony Awards and nine nominations, and in 2002 was the first Hispanic woman to be a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan

Credit: Copyright Ted Streshinsky/CORBIS

Chita Rivera

Born in Washington,
D.C., Chita Rivera inherited the performer gene from her father, a jazz musician, and made the living room her
first dance studio. Her mother promptly enrolled her in ballet school after she
broke the coffee table. "I was a monkey," she told correspondent Mo Rocca.

At 14 she won a
scholarship to the School of American Ballet in New York.

Credit: Copyright Bettmann/CORBIS

"Shoestring Revue"

"Mr. Wonderful"

Chita Rivera and Sammy Davis Jr. are shown in rehearsals for the Broadway show, "Mr. Wonderful" (1956-57). Directed by Jack Donohue, the show featured music and lyrics by Jerry Bock, Larry Holofcener and George Weiss, with a book by Joseph Stein.

Credit: Photofest

"West Side Story"

Chita Rivera as Anita in the original Broadway production of "West Side Story" (1957). Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents. Directed by Jerome Robbins.

Credit: Photofest

"West Side Story"

Chita Rivera,
Jerome Robbins, Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence are seen during rehearsals for "West
Side Story." Photograph from the
Friedman-Abeles Collection.

Credit: Copyright New York Public Library

"West Side Story"

Chita Rivera (background, center) as Anita in the original Broadway production of "West Side Story."

Credit: Phoptofest

"West Side Story"

Chita Rivera as Anita in the original Broadway production of "West Side Story."

"Bye Bye Birdie"

Watch out for those Shriners! Chita Rivera dances in "Bye Bye Birdie," directed by Gower Champion.

Credit: Photofest

"Bajour"

Chita Rivera as Anyanka, a potential bride-for-sale, in the gypsy musical, "Bajour" (1964).

Credit: Courtesy of Chita Rivera

"Sweet Charity"

Apart from a couple of TV roles, Chita Rivera's first appearance on screen was in 1969, in the Bob Fosse film of "Sweet Charity." Here she is joined by Shirley MacLaine and Paula Kelly in a memorable rooftop dance for "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This."

Credit: Universal Pictures

"Sweet Charity"

Director Bob Fosse and Chita Rivera during production of "Sweet Charity."

Credit: Photofest

"Chicago"

Chita Rivera as Velma Kelly in "Chicago" (1975-1977), directed by Bob Fosse. Music by John Kander, lyrics and book by Fred Ebb.

Credit: Photofest

"Chicago"

A scene from the original Broadway production of "Chicago," featuring Chita Rivera (center).

Credit: Photofest

"Chicago"

When "Chicago" was turned into a film in 2002, Chita Rivera - who played Velma Kelly on stage - appeared in a cameo role as Nickie.

Credit: Miramax

"Merlin"

Illusionist Doug Henning starred as the wizard Merlin in the 1983 Broadway musical, "Merlin." Chita Rivera played an evil sorceress. The show, directed by Ivan Reitman ("Ghostbusters"), also featured Nathan Lane in his first Broadway musical appearance.

Credit: Photofest

"The Rink"

"The Rink" (1984), directed by A.J. Antoon, starred Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera. Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Terence McNally. Rivera won her first Tony Award, after four previous nominations.

Credit: Photofest

"Jerry's Girls"

"Kiss of the Spider Woman"

In 1986 a car crash
nearly ended Rivera's career; her left leg was shattered in twelve places, and
required 18 screws and two plates to hold her leg together. Nonetheless, she got
back on stage - and won a second Tony Award - for 1993's "Kiss of the Spider
Woman."

"Kiss of the Spider Woman"

"Nine"

Mo Rocca asked, "When people say, 'Gosh, how can you do 500, 800 performances of a show?' what's your answer?"

"It's never the same," Rivera replied. "If you're bored, then you're boring. And if you're working with other people, you have to bring something to the table, you know?"

Credit: Courtesy of Chita Rivera

"Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life"

Chita Rivera performs during her show, "The Dancer's Life," about her 50-year career as a dancer, Dec. 1, 2005. The revue also showcases the trademark styles of choreographers Jack Cole, Bob Fosse, Peter Gennaro and Jerome Robbins.

Credit: copyright Saed Hindash/Star Ledger/Corbis

"Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life"

"Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life," a musical revue based on her life, was staged on Broadway in 2005 before embarking on tour. Rivera earned her ninth Tony nomination.

Credit: copyright Paul Kolnik, courtesy of Chita Rivera

"Kander & Ebb"

Chita Rivera performs at a gala benefit, "John Kander and the work of Kander & Ebb," at the Hudson Theatre in New York City, March 8, 2010.

Credit: copyright Walter McBride/Retna Ltd./Corbis

"The Visit"

Chita Rivera, John Cullum and company perform a sneak preview of "The Visit," a Broadway benefit concert, at the Shetler Studios in New York City, Nov. 21, 2011.

Credit: copyright Walter McBride/Corbis

"The Visit"

Chita Rivera is seen during a sneak preview performance of "The Visit," a Broadway benefit concert, at the Shetler Studios in New York City, Nov. 21, 2011.

Credit: copyright Walter McBride/Corbis

"The Mystery of Edwin Drood"

Chita Rivera and the cast of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" are seen during an opening night curtain call, at Studio 54 in New York City, November 13, 2012.

Credit: copyright Walter McBride/Corbis

Ms. Rivera

The veteran, now 80, told Mo Rocca that she will always see herself as a dancer. "The
rhythm of the dance is still all in my being. I will always be a dancer."